The Urban Redevelopment
Authority has just launched the land tender for a site at Bukit Timah Road
under the 2H2025 Government Land Sales (GLS) programme. The site can yield
approximately 340 units, and the tender for this site will close on 11 November
2025.
This is the first site to be
released under the urban transformation of the Newton area, based on the Draft
Master Plan 2025. From past URA records, GLS land parcels sold in Newton have
been used for transitional offices, with only one residential land parcel
awarded in 1997, indicating that GLS supply in the area has been limited. There
will be major transformation works over the next few years. Under the Draft
Master Plan 2025, 5,000 homes are planned for this area – including Newton
Circus, Scotts Road and Monk’s Hill – alongside amenities from new mixed-use
developments and green spaces. While the transformation of the Newton area may
take place over a few years, existing amenities and transport networks will
serve future residents well, as more developments progressively take place and
add to the neighbourhood.
The site is located next to
Newton MRT Interchange, providing future residents with excellent connectivity
through access to two MRT lines. The project will attract many families with
school-going children as the site is within 1km of Anglo Chinese School
(Junior) and 2km of other primary schools such as Farrer Park Primary School,
Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (Primary), St Joseph’s Institution Junior and
St Margaret’s Primary School. Newton Food Centre and Orchard Road shopping belt
are just a stone’s throw away from the future development, providing residents
with convenient access to amenities.
As no GLS sites were
released for sale in the Newton area since 1997, the nearest comparable CCR
land parcel is Orchard Boulevard, awarded at a land rate of around S$1,617 psf
ppr. This site was bought by United Venture Development (No.7) Pte. Ltd. and developed
as the new project, UpperHouse. The sales take-up was robust during its launch
in July 2025, indicating that luxury home demand remains healthy. Therefore, we
expect the future project here to be as well-received, given its excellent
location being at the heart of a new neighbourhood in Newton.
However, the prevailing
ABSD, and the ramp up in housing supply in this locale could be areas of
concern for some developers, impacting their participation in this tender
exercise. We expect between 3 and 6 bidders with the highest bid price reaching
S$1,500 to S$1,600 psf ppr.